The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from New Hampshire

After Expanding Coverage, Health Care Pioneer Seeks to Tame Costs

The Affordable Care Act will extend health care coverage to almost everybody. Now states are moving on to the next frontier in health care reform: containing costs. Once again, Massachusetts is taking the lead by putting its health care industry on an annual budget and requiring all insurers and medical providers to make detailed price lists available to the public.

Election Day Registration in the 2012 General Election

In the eight states — Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Wyoming — and the District of Columbia that allow Election Day registration, nearly 1.25 million voters registered or updated their information and cast ballots on Election Day last November.

State Higher Ed Funding Support Continues Decline

Per-student funding has declined in 48 states over the past five years, with New Hampshire and Florida reducing support the most.

New Hampshire State of the State Address 2013

CONCORD, New Hampshire --Feb. 14-- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Maggie Hassan's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Northeastern States To Drastically Cut Emissions Cap

Nine Northeastern states will drastically cut the region’s carbon cap under proposed changes to the region’s cap-and- trade program, they announced Thursday.

Gas Tax Loses Favor as Governors Look for New Transportation Money

In the search for more transportation money, governors and state lawmakers are largely avoiding one of the most obvious and straightforward funding sources: state gasoline taxes.

Issue to Watch: Collective Bargaining

While this year’s legislative battles in the states over collective bargaining rights are likely to be more restrained than previous years, the legislation put forward would still have a significant impact on employer-labor relationships, if passed.

New Hampshire Voter ID Update

We noted late last year that New Hampshire was, for the first time, going to send confirmation letters to voters who arrived at the polls without the ID required by the state’s new law and had to sign affidavits before voting.

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: New Hampshire

How well is New Hampshire protecting kids from tooth decay?

New Hampshire Voter ID

In New Hampshire’s September primary election, approximately 7 percent of voters in Nashua did not show or have photo identification as required by a new state law.

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: New Hampshire

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

Unions Make Strong Showing at the Polls

Labor won big contests in Indiana, California and New Hampshire, while results were mixed in Michigan.

Republicans Win Big in North Carolina Governor’s Race But Struggle Elsewhere

Despite heavy spending by outside groups in nearly a dozen races for governor, the partisan mix of Democrats and Republicans leading states appeared to change only slightly as a result of Tuesday’s elections.

Tax Pledge Permeates New Hampshire Politics

New Hampshire has no income tax or sales tax. The candidates for governor want to keep it that way. But despite that, the debate over taxes never really goes away.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in New Hampshire

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Two of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in New Hampshire and hold 37 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in New Hampshire may be paying.

Voter ID Rolls Out in New Hampshire

This past September, New Hampshire’s new voter identification law debuted during the state’s primary. The law requires voters to show a photo ID at the polls and is being rolled out in stages.

Out-Of-State Students May Vote in New Hampshire, Judge Rules

Out of state students in New Hampshire will be able to vote in November, a state judge ruled Monday, reversing the legislature’s attempt to say otherwise.

Democrats Play Defense in Governors’ Races

The race for New Hampshire governor has the hallmarks of the biggest gubernatorial races this fall: heavy involvement from outside groups, a national contest stealing the spotlight and messages that echo themes from this year’s presidential campaigns.

In New Hampshire, a Primary Full of Unfamiliarity

John Lynch, New Hampshire’s popular moderate Democratic governor, is not seeking reelection this year, creating a window of opportunity for Republicans wishing to take back the office.

Safety Net Hospitals Imperiled by High Court Ruling

Hospitals that serve the poor thought they would be helped by the Affordable Care Act. Now it looks as if they will be hurt by it.

In New Hampshire, No Veto on Cap-and-Trade Compromise

Under a new law, New Hampshire will leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, but only if other states do first. Governor John Lynch, a champion of New England’s cap-and-trade pact, tentatively supported a policy viewed as a compromise.

New Hampshire Takes Strong First Step to Improve Access to Dental Care and Overcome State's Dentist Shortage

Last week, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch signed into law Senate Bill 284, which enables the state to take a strong first step toward reducing the barriers to dental care by expanding the scope of services that dental hygienists can perform after they are certified by the Board of Dental Examiners..

Widening Gap Update: New Hampshire

New Hampshire failed to pay its full annual pension contribution twice from 2005 to 2010. The system was 59 percent funded in fiscal year 2010 and faced a $4 billion funding gap. Most experts agree that a fiscally sustainable system should be at least 80 percent funded. The state also had a $3 billion bill for retiree health care costs, only 2 percent of which was funded, well below the 8 percent national average in 2010.

New Hampshire Lawmakers Compromise on Cap-and-Trade

New Hampshire lawmakers this week passed legislation calling for the state to exit New England’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, but only if two other states drop out first.

Education Funding Control Eludes N.H. Lawmakers

New Hampshire’s state Supreme Court has exercised oversight over education funding and standards through a series of rulings. An amendment that failed Wednesday would have given legislators final say.

Time Served in New Hampshire

The average offender in New Hampshire released in 2005 served 3.1 years in custody, 26% more than the average offender released in 1990.

A Labor Challenge to Republicans in Indiana

In some states, labor unions have decided the best way to regain influence may be to work on the Republican Party from within.

Photo ID and Election Day Registration in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, 126,063 first-time voters registered and cast ballots on Election Day during the 2006, 2008, and 2010 general elections, combined.

State Courts Replacing Paper with Electronic Record-Keeping

State courts have been slow to computerize, but they are gradually replacing stacks of paper with electronic documents.

AAA Criticizes Higher Fees for Out-of-State E-ZPass Drivers

The national drivers’ group wants tolling agencies to treat E-ZPass users the same, regardless of where they bought their transponders.

States Ease Financing for Energy-Efficient Upgrades

Several states are experimenting with an “on-bill” loan financing program that aims to spur investment in energy efficiency for homes and businesses — even for owners who lack capital.

Same-Sex Marriage Remains Law in New Hampshire

TODAY'S TAKE: An effort to repeal a 2009 law legalizing gay marriage in New Hampshire failed on Wednesday (March 21), with state representatives defeating the measure in a lopsided vote.

Courts Block Efforts at Public Pension Change

Two judges have ruled that their states cannot make existing employees contribute more toward their retirement benefits.

New Hampshire State of the State Address 2012

CONCORD, New Hampshire - Jan. 31 - Following is the full text of New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch's (D) state of the state address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Senate President, Madam Chief Justice and members of the judiciary, honorable members of the Executive Council, House and Senate, and my fellow citizens of Ne

Legislators Attempt to Strip Courts of Power

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: In an effort to rein in "activist justices," legislators in New Hampshire and Tennessee are attempting to get rid of judical review of legislation.

Election Websites: New Hampshire

Being Online Is Still Not Enough provides state-by-state reviews and analysis based on detailed criteria of election websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

New Hampshire Dispatch: Ballots Already Cast in Presidential Primary

The first ballots in the 2012 New Hampshire Presidential Primary, scheduled for January 10, have already been cast.

New Hampshire Authorities Investigate 'Birther' Hearing

TODAY'S TAKE: New Hampshire law enforcement officials are investigating an elections hearing that reportedly became unruly after a group seeking to remove President Obama's name from the state's 2012 ballot was rebuffed.

A Backlash Against Rising State Fees

Want to renew your driver’s license, go to a state park, or sue someone in civil court? Chances are you’ll pay higher fees for those and other government services than you would have just a few years ago. Raising fees

GOP Set to Expand 'Castle Doctrine' in New Hampshire

TODAY'S TAKE: Angering law enforcement officials around the state, the Republican-held New Hampshire Senate voted to override a gubernatorial veto of legislation that would greatly expand residents' right to use deadly force in self-defense. The GOP House is set to follow.

Budget Cuts to Programs for Elderly May Cost Money Later

SOCIAL POLICY BEAT: Programs for the elderly are cut back in California and Illinois ... legislators quarrel with the governor over reductions to senior citizen care in New Jersey ... state monitoring of some elder facilities is eliminated in New Hampshire, and other social policy news.

Measuring Transportation Investments: New Hampshire

A May 2011 report, Measuring Transportation Investments: The Road to Results, found considerable differences among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Children's Dental Health: New Hampshire

New Hampshire meets five of the eight policy benchmarks aimed at addressing children’s dental health needs. Although the state’s grade was unchanged from 2010, Medicaid-enrolled children’s use of dental services has increased since 2007.

New Hampshire House Votes to Quit RGGI

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: New Hampshire debates the future of the Northeast's emissions pact ... Western governors go to Congress to condemn federal wilderness policies ... Washington won't meet its greenhouse gas goal, and more energy and environment news.

State Officials Try to Redefine 'Adequate' Education

EDUCATION BEAT: Kansas and New Hampshire look for a new definition of "adequate" public education ... An Indiana Senate committee advances a bill limiting collective bargaining for teachers ... Nevada's governor proposes cuts to higher education and K-12 budgets, and other education news.

New Hampshire Inaugural Address 2011

CONCORD, New Hampshire - Jan. 6 - Following is the full text of New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch's (D) inaugural address (New Hampshire does not have a state of the state address in years in which a budget or inaugural speech is given): Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Madam Chief Justice - isn't it good to say Madam Chie

Georgia's Nathan Deal Hands Off Personal Finances

TRANSITION WATCH: Georgia's incoming governor creates a blind trust, Ohio's new governor tries to keep Race to the Top money and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

With Rick Scott as Governor, Merit Pay Plan for Florida Teachers May Pass

TRANSITION WATCH: Florida conservatives are eager to revisit merit pay, Arizona's Republican Senate President breaks with business groups on tax incentives and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Rick Snyder Picks a Democrat

TRANSITION WATCH: Michigan's Republican governor-elect reaches across the aisle for a top appointment, Georgia's governor-elect picks a controversial chief of staff, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

Few Incumbent Governors Likely to Fall

With high unemployment and pervasive bad news about state budgets, it seems incumbent governors would be in jeopardy of losing their jobs this year. But outside the Midwest, most sitting governors have the edge in their races Tuesday.